Tag: beachvibes

I am leaving for the beach in just a few days! So I figured I would round up my packing list and share with you what’s going in my bag!

For this trip I will be driving to Destin, Florida to spend the week at the beach with some friends. I will not be using my regular, go to carry on suitcase this trip. Instead, I am using my favorite Adidas duffel bag (really similar to this one, and bonus: still carry-on size) that I really love, but don’t normally fly with. Honestly, it may be my soccer background, but I really prefer traveling with a duffel bag when I can. I still love the rollers for trekking accrues the airport! Since we are driving, I have a little more flexibility, which can be both good and bad. I am still keeping it to a “carry-on” and a backpack (minus things like a beach chair and a blender… keep reading!). Honestly, this is pretty easy to do for beach trips because I typically just live in a bathing suit and/or comfy clothes.

What’s in my bag:

bathing suits

beach/bathing suite cover up

workout clothes & running shoes (Going for runs on the beach is one of my all time favorite things.)

sweats (After swimming, I am always a bit chilly. Coming back from the beach or the pool and putting on sweats after a shower is pure bliss)

a couple t-shirts and/or tanks

denim cut offs

summer dress

flip flops

sandals

sleepwear

long sleeve t-shirt/layer (Something warm and snugly for the evenings.)

Non-clothing must haves for the beach:

sunscreen

natural aloe vera (I prefer this over any after sun lotion or drugstore aloe vera product. Whether you burn or not, it’s really good to put this on after any extended time in the sun for maintaining soft, hydrated, healthy skin.)

beach chair (If I have the luxury {like when I’m driving} I prefer to buy a beach chair BEFORE getting to the beach. I can get something that is much better quality for a much better price than what I typically find at the beach stores.)

beach towel

beach bag

blender (If you are driving and have the luxury, this is really nice to have for whipping up plenty of frozen drinks to enjoy on the beach/porch/pool. Check ahead of time to see if your beach rental has the already.)

Kindle

waterproof cases or bags for electronics

sunglasses

SPF lip balm

baseball cap/beach hat

ENO (Even if I’m flying, this typically gets a spot in my bag. It is so lightweight and compact and is a real game changer when it comes to relaxing!)

I have not linked any of the specific items that I use. But if you are interested in finding out more about any clothes or product I talked about or maybe something in a photo, feel free to comment on this post or send me a message! I would love to give you more details.

What are your must haves for the beach? Anything I missed? I leave soon, so now’s the time to let me know!

Like this:

At the beginning of the year, like a lot of other people, I had a few goals for 2015. Taking a look back at these, some went pretty well, a few I pushed to complete, and a couple, I just forget about. Which I don’t like, but hope to learn from that and move forward into this next year. Above all, looking back, I am grateful for the experiences and the challenges. And I’m not too worried about the things I didn’t do, because so many amazing things did happen. Continue reading “2015 Resolutions: The Reckoning”

Like this:

Day number three of our cruise was the first day at port. We had arrived to Cozumel in the wee hours of the morning. So we had a quick bite to eat from the breakfast buffet and headed for land.

While there was plenty of shopping and things to see just off the boat, we opted for an all inclusive excursion by catamaran to Passion Island that we had booked the day before through the cruise line.

Like this:

Going on a cruise was different from any other travel experience I’ve had to date. So much to take in and really strange to stop and think that all this is happening somewhere in the middle of a huge mass of water.

Like this:

The cutest little town you ever did see. Home to one of the most quaint bookstores where I treated myself to a new book and some beautiful travel posters. Near the center of town there is a whole row of food trucks offering just about anything you could want. Plenty of narrow little tree lined streets to stroll down ’til your hearts content. And plenty of unique shops and art to browse through for days. Added bonus: The Truman Show was filmed here. Continue reading “Seaside, FL”

Like this:

Time spent at the beach is time well spent. Watching the sun rise and set on white sand beaches was a treat. Eating some of the most delicious food poolside was a highlight. Taking long afternoon bike rides was invigorating. Reading on the beach until it got too dark was an escape. Having recently picked up another job, I was not sure until the last minute if I would be able to make it on the trip, but I am so very glad I did. It was exactly the break I have been needing with no agenda Continue reading “Florida, You Sunshine State, You”

Like this:

Have you ever been bogged down by your dreams? It sounds so contrary to all the motivational quotes and the whimsicality that goes with the term dream, but I think it can happen. Moments where you want so badly to pursue that thing, but being frustrated in knowing that it’s just not time yet. It can be tiring. It can make you all out want to give up, or at least wish you had a more “down to earth” dream.

Like this:

Today is the one year anniversary of the very first time I sailed. After laying on the beach and swimming in the Atlantic all morning, we headed back to the mainland and out to camp. So with 1 Sunfish, 1 rainbow colored sail, 1 dagger board, 1 rudder, 1 perfect afternoon, the three of us set out into the Bogue Sound. Continue reading “What Sailing Taught Me”

Like this:

The last day of my cross country road trip started in Asheville, N.C. The previous day had been filled with beauty and architecture and history while wandering around The Biltmore Estate. So after a quick hotel breakfast, a stop at Double D’s Coffee shop for an Almond Joy Latte (arguably the best coffee I’ve had and easily my favorite location) and yet another stop for fuel, we set out on the final stretch of road. Continue reading “Beach or Bust”